Coursera Review - why 4.1 stars?

Shlomi Lavi / updated: Mar 01, 2023

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What is Coursera?

Coursera is a well-known Learning Management System (LMS) software that offers online courses from some of the world top universities and educational institutions. It is an online platform that provides high-quality education to anyone who wants to learn from anywhere in the world. Coursera is an excellent solution for individuals who want to improve their skills or gain knowledge in a specific field or subject. It is also a great tool for companies and organizations that want to train their employees or develop their workforce.

The software was founded in 2012 by two Stanford University professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. They established the company in Mountain View, California, a city located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Since then, the company has grown significantly, and it now has more than 1,600 employees spread across multiple locations worldwide.

One of the most significant features of Coursera is its vast library of courses. The platform offers over 4,000 courses from more than 200 leading universities and institutions, covering a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, data science, humanities, social sciences, and more. The courses are taught by experts in their fields, and the content is continuously updated to keep up with the latest industry trends and practices.

Another great feature of Coursera is its flexible learning options. The platform offers a variety of courses, including self-paced courses, live online courses, and blended learning courses. Learners can choose the format that works best for them, depending on their schedule and learning preferences. Additionally, Coursera provides learners with a range of tools and resources to support their learning, such as quizzes, assignments, and interactive projects.

Coursera also offers learners the opportunity to earn credentials and certificates upon completion of their courses. These credentials are recognized by employers and educational institutions worldwide and can help learners showcase their skills and knowledge to potential employers. Coursera offers both individual course certificates and professional certificates, which are series of courses designed to develop a specific skill set.

In conclusion, Coursera is a versatile, user-friendly, and highly effective Learning Management System software that provides learners with access to high-quality education from top universities and institutions worldwide. Its vast library of courses, flexible learning options, and comprehensive learning resources make it an excellent tool for individuals and organizations looking to upskill their workforce or gain knowledge in a specific field. With its focus on continuous improvement and innovation, Coursera is a platform that learners can rely on to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and practices.

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Who is it best for?

Coursera Learning Management System (LMS) software is a popular choice for individuals and organizations in a wide range of industries. Its flexibility and comprehensive course offerings make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to upskill their workforce or gain knowledge in a specific subject. Some typical customers of Coursera include:

1. Educational Institutions: Many universities and colleges use Coursera to supplement their existing curriculum and offer additional courses to their students. For example, the University of Illinois offers a Master of Computer Science degree entirely online through Coursera.

2. Corporations: Coursera is a popular tool for corporate training and development programs. Companies like IBM and Bank of America use the platform to train their employees on new technologies and skills.

3. Non-Profit Organizations: Non-profit organizations like the World Bank and the International Rescue Committee use Coursera to offer online training to their staff and volunteers around the world.

4. Government Agencies: Coursera is also used by government agencies for employee training and professional development. For example, the U.S. Department of State uses the platform to train its foreign service officers.

5. Individuals: Coursera is a popular choice for individuals who want to gain new skills or knowledge in a specific subject. Learners from all backgrounds and industries use Coursera to advance their careers and personal growth.

Some of the companies and organizations that use Coursera LMS software include Google, PwC, Airbnb, Novartis, and the United Nations. These companies use Coursera to provide their employees with access to high-quality training and development programs, helping them stay competitive in their respective industries.

Main features and functionalities

Coursera Learning Management System (LMS) software can be an incredibly useful tool for businesses of all sizes and industries. Here are some ways that Coursera can help your business:

1. Upskill Your Workforce: Courseras vast library of courses covers a wide range of subjects, including business, technology, data science, and more. By providing your employees with access to these courses, you can help them develop new skills and knowledge that will benefit your business.

2. Improve Employee Retention: Employees who feel that their employer is invested in their professional development are more likely to be engaged and satisfied in their jobs. By offering training and development opportunities through Coursera, you can show your employees that you value their growth and development, which can help improve retention rates.

3. Save Time and Money: Coursera flexible learning options, including self-paced courses and live online classes, allow your employees to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. This can save your business time and money on in-person training sessions and travel expenses.

4. Stay Competitive: By offering training and development opportunities through Coursera, your business can stay competitive in your industry. Your employees will have access to the latest skills and knowledge, which can help your business stay ahead of the curve.

5. Attract Top Talent: Providing your employees with access to high-quality training and development programs can help your business attract top talent. Potential employees will see that you value professional growth and development, which can make your company a more desirable place to work.

In conclusion, Coursera LMS software can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to upskill their workforce, improve employee retention rates, save time and money, stay competitive, and attract top talent. By providing your employees with access to high-quality training and development programs, you can help them grow and develop their skills, which can benefit your business in numerous ways.

What is the actual cost?

Coursera offers two plans from which learners can choose, Team and Enterprise. The Team Plan starts at $399 for 5-125 users. The Enterprise Plan is for more than 125 users and for pricing info contact sales.

ITQlick pricing score is 4.6 out of 10 (10 is most expensive). Access ITQlick pricing guide for Coursera. You can also find here pricing information from Coursera's website.

Pros

• While many e-learning platforms specialize in particular subject areas or industries, Coursera offers a diverse range of courses in a variety of disciplines. This breadth of offerings may make it a more attractive option for businesses with employees who have varied interests and skillsets.
• Coursera offers a range of course formats, including self-paced courses, instructor-led courses, and blended learning options. This flexibility may make it a more versatile option for businesses with employees who have different learning preferences or schedules.
• Coursera has partnerships with over 200 top universities around the world, which allows it to offer high-quality courses and content from respected academic institutions. This may be particularly appealing to businesses looking to provide their employees with courses that carry academic credentials.

Cons

• While Coursera offers a range of courses and content from top universities, businesses may have less flexibility to customize or create their own courses compared to other e-learning platforms.
• While Coursera has partnerships with several large corporations, some e-learning platforms like Cornerstone or Docebo may have more robust features specifically designed for corporate training and development.
• Courseras pricing structure can be more expensive than some of its competitors, particularly for businesses that require a large number of licenses or access to premium features.

How it stacks up?

Access a head to head analysis of Coursera vs alternative software solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Coursera right for you or your business?

Coursera is a good fit for companies or learners seeking an online learning platform that delivers world-class learning via good academic mechanisms and private authoring options. The software also offers training solutions that enable employees to build critical skills and realize the full potential of technological investments. Coursera has customers like Novartis, Telenor, Arizona state university, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Autodesk, etc.